By Michael Lovito
Morris School District leaders held another forum trying to persuade voters to support an upcoming $158 million bond referendum that would help raise money for capital improvements at all 10 of the district’s schools on Tuesday.
Over Zoom, officials and professionals said the bond, which would raise property tax bills of homeowners in Morristown and Morris Township, would help the district pay for much- needed updates to the schools’ infrastructures, including their plumbing and HVAC systems, as well as expansion of the highs school’s cafeteria and renovations to the swimming pool.
“Our schools are feeling the strain of aging infrastructure systems,” Glenn Miller, the district’s director of buildings and grounds, said. “These issues require large-scale improvements that cannot be managed through the regular budget process. This referendum, if approved by voters, will benefit every school in the district.”
The referendum also would make the district eligible for $46.4 million of state aid, which district financial adviser Robbi Acampora said could “reduce the amount that taxpayers have to pay.”
According to district estimates, a home assessed at the average Morristown value ($635,443) would see an increase of $38 per month if the referendum is passed. The average Morris Township home ($560,500) would incur a $41 hike. Morristown and Morris Township residents can calculate their own predicted tax increase using the district’s tax impact calculator.
Due to the district’s sending-receiving relationship with Morris Plains, borough homeowners will not see an increase in their property taxes from the referendum.
“IT NEEDS A FACELIFT”
After introducing the basics of the referendum, architects Anthony and Matthew Gianforcaro went into detail about the district’s plans for each of its 10 schools.
Many of the proposed improvements are crucial but mundane — if the referendum is passed, nearly all the schools will receive updates to their HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems, as well as renovated and replaced roofs, windows, and bathrooms.
Morristown High School is poised to undergo the most serious facelift. Anthony Gianforcaro and Morristown High Principal Mark Manning outlined plans to expand the school’s cafeteria, renovate the auditorium, and convert the current media center into a guidance center.
“Currently, our guidance department and our child study team are separated by three floors at the high school, and the ability to collaborate around student wellness is somewhat hampered,” Manning said, noting that the new suite also would include a student career center.
“I think that this is an incredible opportunity to join together all of our counselors and case managers in one location.”
In addition to adding eight classrooms, Frelinghuysen Middle School would be in line for a renovated auditorium.
“It’s the first thing that parents see when they come into the building, whether it’s an open house, whether it’s back to school night, whether it’s concerts, we use it every single day,” Frelinghuysen Principal Vincent Marchese said.
“It needs a facelift, number one, and number two, it’s not temperature-controlled, so that really limits how we can use it.”
GROWING PAINS
After the presentation, viewers had the opportunity to question the panel via a Zoom chat. Many questions concerned the pool, which MSD Superintendent Anne Mucci called a source of “alumni pride.”
Anthony Gianforcaro said the pool renovation is estimated to take 18 months, which means that Morris High’s swim team would have to find a temporary home for “at worst” two seasons. Mucci added that if the referendum does not pass, the pool would be closed “permanently.”
One audience member questioned why the bond and capital improvement plan were being pursued now, considering that district enrollment in grades 6 through 12 has decreased over the past few years.
Mucci said in preparation for the referendum, the district conducted a comprehensive demographic study indicating that despite some of Morristown High’s smallest graduating classes in recent memory, preschool and kindergarten enrollment have seen record highs.
Mucci and Manning also said Morris High recently had to create a “separate and distinct transfer welcome program” to acclimate students returning to the district after initially beginning their high school years in a private school.
One viewer tried to throw cold water on growth projections by asking if the panel was concerned the tax increase would cause homeowners to leave Morristown and Morris Township.
“I’m hoping that it will do the opposite,” Mucci replied. “I understand the demands that are put on the taxpayer to support local and municipal services, but I think this long-term investment could perhaps, if I had to guess, encourage people to really look at our school district as forward-thinking and perhaps attract people there.”
The district will hold an in-person forum today, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Morristown and Morris Township Library, and another on Sept. 1 at 7 pm in the Frelinghuysen Middle School. Voting for the referendum is on Sept. 15.
MORRIS SCHOOL DISTRICT RESOURCES
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